Look at every aspect of the renovation you want to complete and determine if it’s an amount of work you can complete by yourself.
Even if you feel comfortable doing the work yourself, have a handyman or contractor as a backup in case you run into something you’re unfamiliar with.
It’s also important to think about the safety of other people in your home. In other words, you need to know how to create a construction area that will be safe for everyone involved. [3] X Research source
Jobs like electrical wiring, roofing, masonry, and plumbing should always be done by a professional unless you put in the hours to really learn what you’re doing. [5] X Research source If any walls need to be removed, have professionals come to determine if the wall is load-bearing or if there are any electrical or plumbing requirements.
Many home remodeling projects require permits, even something as simple as building a deck. Check with your city’s permit office to see if the project you’re considering requires one.
Try taking your original estimation and doubling it. Do you still have enough to do the project? For instance, if you estimate that you need $250 to re-tile the bathroom, you may or may not stay under that projection. When you pull up the tile, you may find that you also need to replace the sub-floor or frame underneath, which can significantly increase your costs. You may also find plumbing problems that need to be fixed, putting you well over your original estimate of $250.
Remember, time is money. If you’re putting time into this project, that’s time you don’t have for other things, including your family and your job.
Check with your city on where you can dispose of construction debris. You may be able to keep it on the curb, but you may have to get a dumpster.
Try comparing costs of doing it yourself to hiring a professional. Call around for professional estimates, and then compare that to what you estimate doing it yourself to cost. Don’t forget to figure in more than you’ll think you’ll need, plus add in the cost of your time to the budget. Keep in the mind that some projects may be cheaper to do yourself, while others will be cheaper to let a professional do them.
To increase the resale value, go for inexpensive projects like painting, landscaping, or flooring.
